Boy, 14, Dies After Gun Battle With Police at Indiana Middle School

A teenager exchanged gunfire with officers then killed himself after they intercepted him as he tried to enter an Indiana middle school, police said Thursday.

Law enforcement and school officials were warned that an armed individual was approaching Dennis Intermediate School in Richmond, Ind., Indiana State Police said. Officers arrived at the school around the same time as the suspect, who was identified as a 14-year-old boy.

They exchanged gunfire outside the school before the suspect shot out the glass of a locked door to the school and ran into the building, according to state police public information officer David Bursten. Officers pursued him and again exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who then took his own life.

Bursten said that someone called officers and school officials to warn them the teen was going to commit a “violent act” at the school. Bursten said the tip likely saved many lives.

“Had they not made that call, there is no doubt in my mind that we would be having a much different conversation right now,” he said.

The suspect did not attend the middle school, Bursten said. No students were injured in the shooting.

Richmond Community Schools reported an active shooter situation on Twitter Thursday morning, and said all school buildings were put on lockdown.

Dennis Intermediate Students were dismissed for the day and reunited with their parents.